The Town of Aurora was founded in 1818, fourteen years after the first settler Jabez Warren obtained a contract from the Holland Land Company for 1,443 acres and made it his family's home in 1804. Previously, Native Americans lived in the area. The town is thirty-six square miles with a current population of approximately 14,000, which includes the Village of East Aurora, the hamlets of Jewettville, Griffins Mills, West Falls and a portion of South Wales.

One of the town's earliest and most prominent settlers was a young Millard Fillmore who came to Aurora in the early 1820s to open the first law practice in town and build a home for his future wife Abigail. Twenty-seven years later, Millard Fillmore became President of the United States. The President's home was moved from its original location on Main Street to its current location on Shearer Avenue. Irving Price, who was one of the founders of international toy company Fisher-Price, purchased the home of Millard and Abigail Fillmore. Mrs. Price, a well-known artist, used the home as her art studio. Today it is a National Historic Landmark and the only standing home built himself by a United States president.

Aurora is also well known for its contribution to the turn of the century Arts & Crafts movement led by Elbert Hubbard who founded the Roycroft Community at the corners of Main and South Grove Streets. The Roycroft artisans are still recognized today for their hand crafted works and the fourteen building campus is a National Landmark that attracts people from around the world.